The Wikipedia on Aruba | Aruba on Wikipedia project aims to inspire, engage and enable/empower the
Aruban community to create and share knowledge on Wikipedia.On Thursday, February 13, 2025, Wikipedia
on Aruba will officially launch with a kick-off event at Biblioteca Nacional Aruba.
The18-month pilot project aims to inform the local community about the power of Wikipedia, build an active
knowledge-sharing community, and showcase Aruba’s rich heritage on the global online platform.
Wikipedia on Aruba is organised by Wikimedia Nederland in collaboration with Archivo Nacional Aruba,
Biblioteca Nacional Aruba, Stichting Monumentenfonds and Union di Organisacionnan Cultural Arubano.
The project is funded by Fonds Cultuurparticipatie. Led by Wikimedian in Residence Ginelly Quandt, Project
Lead Michelle van Lanschot and Project Coordinator Ricardo Arends, the initiative will empower individuals
to contribute knowledge to Wikipedia, ensuring greater online accessibility and representation of Aruba’s
culture,history and language.
Kick-Off Event Information
Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025
Location: Biblioteca Nacional Aruba
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
The event will feature introductions to the project, interactive discussions, and insights on how the
community can get involved. Participants will learn how Wikipedia works, its credibility processes, and how
they can contribute by writing articles in Papiamento or adding open-licensed images to the media repository
of Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons.
About Wikipedia on Aruba
The Wikipedia on Aruba project is dedicated to making knowledge about Aruba freely accessible to the
world. It focuses on:
• Advocating the importance of Wikipedia for preserving and promoting Aruba’s heritage.
• Inspiring people to share and document Aruba’s history and rich information in our own language on
Wikipedia, creating a lasting impact.
• Building a community of passionate contributors who will write and share knowledge in Papiamento.
• Uploading free-to-use images and content about Aruba’s culture, landmarks, and history.
• Collaborating with cultural heritage organisations to make their knowledge and collections available
on the Wikimedia platforms
Why this matters
Aruba has a rich cultural heritage that deserves to be recognized globally and preserved online. However,
much of its history, traditions, and knowledge remain underrepresented on online platforms. This initiative
ensures that Aruba’s stories are told authentically and remain accessible for future generations.
Call to Action
The community is invited to attend the kick-off event and be part of this exciting movement. Whether you’re
passionate about Aruba’s heritage, interested in contributing knowledge, or simply curious to learn
more—this project welcomes everyone!
For more information, contact us at wikipediaonaruba@wikimedia.nl.